Obese tourists banned from doing this in Greece

The new rule comes after lawmakers pledged to do more to help protect the animals.

Now, obese tourists in Greece have been banned from riding donkeys after animal rights campaigners raised concerns. Several complaints of donkeys suffering spinal injuries and being left with open wounds were cited by activists.
The new rule was introduced after images of donkeys climbing the narrow steps of the Greek island of Santorini with overweight tourists hit the headlines worldwide, according to Daily Mail report.
The Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food after receiving multiple complaints regarding the issue, stated that donkeys should not carry any loads heavier than 100kg or one fifth of their weight.
Animal activists on the island said that donkeys were being forced to carry ever-heavier loads while working long hours, seven days a week without shelter, rest and water. This resulted in them suffering spinal injuries and open wounds from ill-fitting saddles.
Besides several health and hygiene rules laid down for donkey owners, the government bulletin states: 'Working equines should not be loaded with excessive weight for their size, age or physical condition. The load cannot exceed the weight of 100kg, or one fifth of their body weight.'
Elisavet Chatzi, 45, a volunteer from Athens who participated in a peaceful protest in Santorini over donkeys' treatment there earlier this year, said, "It's a very big step, I think all our hard work has paid off. The situation in Santorini has been going on for many years and it cannot be resolved in one day." While, animal rights charity Peta has also started a petition called 'Donkeys on Santorini Abused and Used as Taxis: Please Help Them!'